Noel Meade's admits he is worried about overracing Realt Dubh ahead of his proposed Irish Arkle bid at Leopardstown on January 23.
Meade worried about overracing exciting novice
Noel Meade has reported Realt Dubh on target for the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase on January 23 but admits he is worried about the prospect of three runs in quick succession for his potential star.
The seven-year-old was second to Jessies Dream in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novices' Chase before winning the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown, and is set for a return to the Dublin venue.
"The Irish Arkle is the plan," Meade told
skysports.com.
"He had two runs close together and the race is coming up quickly which is the only danger.
"He's been fine since the race, he came out of it ok but I don't want to blow it by running him too quickly again.
"But we'll assess the situation as we get closer to the race and if we're happy with him that's probably where he will go."
Cheltenham aim
The son of Beneficial has won three of his five starts over fences and Meade feels that he has a potenial Cheltenham Festival star on his hands.
"We'd love to go to Cheltenham with him. We think he's good enough to go.
"The last time he went (to Cheltenham) we maybe ran him in the wrong race over the wrong trip but he's a much better horse over fences.
"He's still young and he's got it all in front of him," he added.
Stablemate Muirhead may join him in the Irish Arkle line-up, although his trainer has stressed that his participation hinges on suitable going.
"The ground is a big factor with him - he has to have good ground," said Meade.
"He's not a big horse and we don't want to be running him on the bad ground because it just pulls the guts out of him."
